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15" wheels for 1970 442

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Old Jun 10, 2016 | 05:11 AM
  #1  
18again's Avatar
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15" wheels for 1970 442

I have a 1970 442 convertible and want to switch to 15" wheels, but would like to retain the original look ,that came with the car. Can anyone tell me where i can find them, rather than go with aftermarket Cragar or other new wheels.. Thanks: DC
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 05:57 AM
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You have a couple choices. In 1974 I believe, Oldsmobile made a 15" SS II or III(Semantics) wheel that took the bolt on center cap that looks like the 14 SS II III wheel that could have came on your car. These are a 1 year only wheel & are very hard to find & expensive when you do.
Later in the '70s Olds. made a 15" SS II III wheel that took the snap on cap. They look very similar to the original wheels & are easier to find & less expensive than the ones above. I have a set of the 15" snap cap wheels if that helps. I'm in Indianapolis & can ship about anywhere.
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 06:02 AM
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Fyi

Numerous companies offer reproduction 15" SS 1 in a variety of widths from 6" to 10". SS1 wheels look great on a 1970 anything.
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 12:22 PM
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It depends on which wheels you are looking for.
These are the correct SSI style with trim rings for 1970:
OldsSuperStockSS1wheels_zps27c5af0d.jpg

This is a SSII (argent grey) with a bolt on center cap (correct type for 1970):


This is a SSIII (looks like body color) with a push on cap. Close, but not "correct" for 1970.
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 12:25 PM
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If you're not wanting absolute correct, then close will do. Personally I had 85-87 442 wheels on mine and it looked great.

1970_442_007.jpg
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 12:38 PM
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As oldspackrat said, the factory 15" SSII/III look very similar to the 14" SSII/III.

Here's a pic of the "new" and "old" SSIII wheels from my car. Can you tell which is 14" and the which is 15"?

IMG_1104_zpsw99s2yaa.jpg
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 12:58 PM
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15's on the left...
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
15's on the left...
How about this one.....the bolt on cap (on the left... ) is the 14" and the push on cap is the 15".

Hint: zoom in on it and you can read the tire size on the left one.
Old Jun 10, 2016 | 01:54 PM
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I just guessed for $hits m giggles....
Old Jun 13, 2016 | 12:56 PM
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Thanks

Thanks everyone for your advice on getting 15" wheels. I will post some pictures of my car ,with the new wheels ,when completed ,in about 1 month....DC
Old Jun 16, 2016 | 07:25 AM
  #11  
70-442-W30's Avatar
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Had I known this was an option, I may have went with it on my car. But the new 17s are starting to grow on me. Still seeking out the original steelies with the caps though because I need to see how that looked on this car. I bet it was amazing.
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 08:40 AM
  #12  
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How is the search for 15s going? I am currently looking for 15 SS II/III for a '70 442 or perhaps 17inch steelies. Post some photos. Here are some coker 15 inch steelies with repo hubcaps on my vista cruiser
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 08:54 AM
  #13  
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I have at least two 15 inch wheels that take the snap on center cap here in Indianapolis if anybody needs them.
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